MANILA, Philippines – Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo and U.S. Department of State Secretary Marco Rubio reiterated its commitment to deepening cooperation on addressing China’s destabilizing actions in the South China Sea, as well as increase economic cooperation to mutually benefit American and Philippine citizens.
In a readout provided by the Office of the Spokesperson of the U.S State Department, Tammy Bruce mentioned that the two officials met on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. to “underscore the U.S.-Philippines Alliance’s vital role in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
The two leaders also committed to exploring new opportunities for cooperation with regional allies and partners, including trilaterally with Japan through the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), Bruce said in a statement.
The LEC is a collaborative effort between the Philippines, United States, and Japan, with the aim of connecting key economic hubs in Luzon and facilitate high-impact infrastructure projects.
According to the DFA, Manalo met with Rubio to discuss “wide-ranging issues under the Philippines-U.S. partnership.”
On the economic front, the Secretaries looked forward to the positive conclusion of high-level talks between Philippine and U.S. economic managers on the U.S.’s reciprocal tariffs. They also underscored the importance of stronger economic relations in building a more enduring Philippines-U.S. alliance, and promoting overall security, the DFA stated.
Meanwhile, the Secretaries reaffirmed the importance of continued defense and security cooperation, including through support for the Philippines’ defense modernization efforts.
According to the DFA, the officials cited recent positive developments, including the Joint Vision Statement of the Philippine and U.S. Defense Secretaries on building our defense industrial cooperation, U.S. offers of foreign military sales to meet Philippine needs, and the conduct of the latest Balikatan exercises.
The meeting follows up on engagements of the two Secretaries early in the current U.S. administration, including a phone call in January and a meeting during the Munich Security Conference in March, the DFA mentioned.
Manalo is in the United States as part of his working visit.
He was accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez in the meeting, the DFA added.
